Gesture Drawing for Animation xi
The quote, reprinted here in full, refers to cleanup people but it could as well refer to
animators and inbetweeners. All of the above classifications make drawings that go into a
scene, and so the same training is necessary for all.
“They studied line drawing, training on Holbein, Degas, Daumier, Da Vinci; they
watched drapery in movement, noting the difference between filmy scarves, woolen
skirts, flowing capes, and even baggy pants; they learned the value of a sharp, crisp
line against a large, soft shape; they knew how to keep a design in the free-flowing
changing shapes of animation rather than make a rigid copy. They always extended
the arcs of the movement, squashed the characters more, stretched him more –
refining while emphasizing both the action and the drawings. They understood the
business of the scene, what it was supposed to achieve, worked closely with the
animator in deciding which parts were developing well and which parts needed a little
help, and they could see the characters start to live as they “rolled” the drawings on
the pegs. This required a special kind of talent as well as study – not every artist could
master it.”So you see, there is something special about the thinking that goes into animation
drawing.
Don’t ease up on your search. Success is just around the proverbial corner.
May the forces and stretches and angles and all other drawing helps be with you.